The idea behind the Cubiculum concept is to create a compact campus for researchers, research students, guest/visiting researchers and graduate students at primarily at universities and higher education institutions in Sweden and the Nordic countries.
Life in Cubiculum will give the feeling of belonging to a community, with a place for yourself in a small apartment and shared areas for recreation, studying and eating together.
“For the exchange researchers and graduate students, Cubiculum will be a family away from home. The apartments are placed surrounding the central atrium and shared common areas, nudging the lifestyle towards opening up dialogues and meetings between the Cubiculum campus residents. At Cubiculum, we offer a service or a lifestyle for tenants rather than just apartments for rent. The tenants can share books, bicycles, board games and care for the plants in the common areas.”
Karolina Bruhn, CEO Cubiculum
Our anticipated audience in Cubiculum is academic persons looking for compact and sustainable accommodation. Housing is often challenging to find in knowledge-intensive areas, and our target group would prefer short to mid-term leases rather than buying an apartment. Our housing modules are also constructed to be shared and cared for, making it easy for someone to move out and for someone else to move in.
The sustainable aspect of Cubiculum is essential.
Together with property developers and universities, we hope to create something new in the market and make sustainable room for sharing thoughts and ideas in the Cubiculum housing modules.
The modules are built for sustainable transportation, thus making it possible to change the location when needed. The fact that the modules are constructed in the Containex factory in Europe is also important, as it is much more efficient than traditional construction, with less waste.
“My experience is that there is a longing in most people to regain the initiative, commitment and community in society. When we built accommodation with many meeting places and functions that are shared, this longing was able to find an outlet.
I have been really impressed by how quickly and naturally a welcoming environment arises where the possibilities for this are created. Almost organically, a feeling of being seen and needed emerges, a context where it becomes fun and pleasant to help each other in the everyday puzzle and where initiatives are taken for everything from the fun and pleasant to solving practical problems together or delving into studies, literature , sports etc.”
Hans Linton, Chief Living Experience Cubiculum
Offering compact living based on tailored containers can have several benefits, both in terms of sustainability and the alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Cubiculum concept aligns and relates to several of the UN SDGs (e.g. 7, 9, 11, 12, 13). These include Sustainable Cities and Communities (11), Responsible Consumption and Production (12), Affordable and Clean Energy (7), and Climate Action (13).
By embracing tailored containers for Cubiculum compact living, our housing solutions and living experience can address multiple dimensions of sustainable development, supporting various SDGs simultaneously. It is important to note that the success of our initiatives also depends on the integration of appropriate infrastructure,services, and policies to ensure the well-being and quality of life of the residents.
- Affordable Housing: Container-based housing can provide an affordable solution for housing shortages, particularly in urban areas where the cost of living is high. By repurposing the international container standard into housing modules, the construction costs can be significantly reduced, making housing more affordable and accessible to a larger population. This directly relates to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
- Sustainable Use of Resources: Recycling and repurposing containers for housing promote sustainable use of resources by giving a second life to materials that would otherwise go to waste. This reduces the demand for traditional construction materials and minimizes the environmental impact associated with extracting and processing new resources. By adopting this approach, it contributes to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, which emphasizes sustainable resource use and waste reduction.
- Energy Efficiency: Containers are fitted with insulation, energy-efficient appliances, and renewable energy systems, resulting in reduced energy consumption and lower carbon emissions. The small size of container homes also facilitates energy conservation by requiring less energy for heating, cooling, and lighting. This aligns with SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, which promotes access to sustainable and clean energy sources, as well as SDG 13: Climate Action, which aims to combat climate change and its impacts.
- Rapid Deployment and Mobility: Containers can be easily transported and assembled, allowing for rapid deployment of housing solutions in various locations. This can be particularly valuable in emergency situations, such as natural disasters or refugee crises, where quick and temporary housing solutions are needed. The ability to relocate container homes also offers flexibility, enabling individuals or communities to adapt to changing circumstances or move to areas with better opportunities. These aspects contribute to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, which emphasizes resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization.
- Social Integration and Community Building: Compact living based on containers can promote a sense of community, as these housing units can be clustered together to create shared spaces and common facilities. This fosters social interaction, collaboration, and a stronger sense of belonging among residents. The creation of inclusive and connected communities supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which aims to ensure access to safe, affordable, and inclusive housing for all.
